Hello everyone! I am looking to upgrade from my beginner rod (scientific anglers rod) to a better rod. What are your opinions on the Temple fork Rods? what would you get for your first expensive rod?
Thanks
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I personally like the Thomas & Thomas three piece rods. I like them better than the Sage models, but either is a top-notch rod with lifetime guarantees. For the money T&T is a better buy.
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While I will agree that a T&T is a sweet rod, I am guess Price is an issue. With the Light Presentation being one of the lower Priced rods still running close to $600.
I have Winston LT, JWF, Orvis T3, Zero Gravity and many more Orvis, Sage SLT and the LL, plus newer Upper end Bamboo and custom Glass, I can say I do have the TFO Professional 10' 5wt. I wanted a 10 foot rod in the lighter weight and thought about the Sage, but with a $600+ price tag I wanted to feel it first and no one had it.
I had my mind set on the St Croix, but then had the chance to feel the Pro.
I personally like a slower to mid action as you can tell from half my list.
The Pro felt perfect. But when I was told the price and the fact a full warranty....welll.....WAHOO! Bonus!
So my answer is, they are a nice rod. But I would also like to mention in around the same price range, a SAGE LAUNCH which is made right here in the US of A, and still has Sages wonderful warranty.
The cork and hardware on the Pro are not the greatest, but it is still worth a feel.
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Just want to through in my two cents. I was in your boat a few months ago. I was ready to upgrade from my Cabelas wind river rod. I went to the sportsman’s expo and was able to cast quite a few rods. I ended up the the sage launch, and I love that rod. I got the 9’ 5 weight. If I were you I would cast as many as you can before you make your decision. When I cast the TFO rods I thought they were a bit stiff/fast. But to each your own. What it comes down to is what feels good and works for you. Hope this helps
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I think what the others have said above is good advice. What kind of action do you want? medium?...medium fast.?...
fast?
If you have a relaxed style of casting/fishing then a rod with a softer flex(medium action) would be what you are looking for. If you are where I think most people seem to fit would be the medium fast action rods. These rods still let you feel the line load the rod yet have the power to make distant casts with ease and bust through most windy conditions.
If you are an agressive caster, want distance, tighter loops etc then go to the fast action rods.
If you are going to upgrade in a medium fast action, then the TFO professional or Sage Launch will be a good choice and come with lifetime warranties.
Going to Cabelas and taking a medium. medium fast and fast action rod out and feeling the difference will let you know what type of action you prefer and then you need to find the price point you want/ can afford and go from there. Lines make a hugh difference....so save enough money to buy a medium to high end line.
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There's my two cents worth!.......... I wonder why some people ask "penny for your thoughts".........food for thought,huh?
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I agree, try them all! There are several TFO styles out there, did you try the Professional ? There is the TiCr which is a fast stick (for distance) In fact the distance competition here a few weeks ago, this was one of the rods paired up with Sharkskin Line. There is also the Finesse which are a slower for delicate presentation. The Professional is a Medium to medium Fast action.
It is the only way to find the right rod...TRY THEM and if they don't let you, find a store that will. I am not talking the shake, but actually cast.
Great point on the line. Get the upper end will make all the difference. I feel the line is even more important than the reel.
If you target TROUT, check out Rio Selective Trout, or AirFlo Ridgeline. Two of the best lines on the market IMHO
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I agree with go deep as will others. It is about what feels good for you. Personally I have fished Sage for the last decade and love them. I have also tried G-loomis but like the feel of the Sage better. Each time I wonder about cheaper (less expensive rods) and try one it just reminds me of why I like my Sage. So try as many as you can so you don't second guess your decision later.
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I just want to thank you all for your input. This is helping me make a more educated decision. I just have one more question how do I know which action I want? medium fast, fast, or what not? Is it just what feels good? or is it the type of fishing that determines which action to get? I love stillwater fishing but I also love to get on the river and roll some flies over. once again thanks
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It will be your style that dictates what kind of action.
I prefer Medium action, even slow, when teaching because it teaches you to slow down, and wait for the tug, also much easier to roll cast, but it will amplify any flaws you have.
Fast action is a forgiving action and sorry but I think people pick up bad habits with a fast action.
I have had students that are hell bent on swatting flies and as fast as they can, for them I am going to say a fast action.
But if you can take ONE class and learn that your hand should be traveling a STRAIGHT line as though painting the underside of a shoulder high shelf. NO WINDSHIELD WIPER. For most casting your arm from elbow to hand will be traveling very little. In fact try holding a book under your arm to practice.
For longer cast you will be stretching your arm span. Think of this as throwing a PING PONG ball as far as you can. Then you have a lot of whole arm movement. Watch a distance caster.
The FEX or ACTION is going to be what WORKS best for your casting style and you are the only one that will feel that. When you are able to put the end of that line out farther than you have ever done, do it consistantly with little effort, then that is your stick.
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Thank you goddess, some very good advice with enough mental pictures for even a beginner to wrap their brain around.
As far as action is concerned, I think they are only words that give you a relative idea of the rods' characteristics. I mean one manufacturer's medium will be faster than another's medium fast. The best advice given is to cast a bunch of different rods and buy the one that works with your casting style. Buy a rod that works with you, not one you have to adapt to
Personally I think a fast rod is easier to begin with and is more forgiving and a way to pound out a long cast to show off to your friends. However, on shorter casts they will not load well and do not give you as good of a feel of what the line is doing. It is more difficult to gently place a dry fly (note: I did not say impossible, please don't jump on me and tell me what you and your faster-than-lightning rod can do).
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In my opinion TFO rods give you the most bang for your buck. Ive fished with both Professional & Ticr models and have no complaints. Ive casted Sage, Orvis and Winston rods while they were probably some of the best rods ive casted my budget dosent allow to spend 600+ dollars for a rod ...
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I have a TFO 7.5' 3 wt. I also have a Loomis GL3 9ft 5wt. The TFO is not the rod that the Loomis is, but the Loomis is more than double the price. I love my TFO rod to be honest with you. I haven't fished with a ton of rods, but I have fished with Sage, Loomis, TFO, and some other bottom end rods. The TFO is much closer in its performance to the Loomis and Sage than to the other bottom end rods I've fished.
That is my opinion, but to each his own.
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I don't know alot about the TFO rods, but I did see a TFO professional snap in half at the Fly Fishing expo this past weekend in one of the casting clinics. It was a 7wt. That didn't leave a good impression with me.
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You do realize that can happen to any rod. It could have been knicked or miss handled, plus could be a factory defect, but I haven't heard or seen any others (other than mine which was my fault all the way) break from normal use. Plus $30. and all better.[cool]
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Everyone keeps mentioning $600 for a high end rod but they can be had for less. I bought my Sage 896 sp for $350 from someone who had never used it another Sage for $170 when they changed models. I just saw an Orvis in a clearance bin for $120 that I think was a 4wt 6pc. I think the sticker said $280. Sorry I can remember the model. I bought five other rods that were 80% off one day.
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I say 600 cause thats usually the MFG Retail price but im sure all rods can be found on sale or second hand for cheeper.
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[quote bassbugn]Everyone keeps mentioning $600 for a high end rod but they can be had for less. I bought my Sage 896 sp for $350 from someone who had never used it another Sage for $170 when they changed models. I just saw an Orvis in a clearance bin for $120 that I think was a 4wt 6pc. I think the sticker said $280. Sorry I can remember the model. I bought five other rods that were 80% off one day.[/quote]
You are right on that! I bought one of the First T3's and it was over $600, but with the intro to the Zero and the Helios, the prices have dropped.
Like mentioned, the ones with the Manufacturers Retail Price. I have a Friend just pick up a WT Winston in NEW condition for $350.
Buyer be ware on e-bay however. My other friend ordered a vintage rod only to find out the tip was missing 3" which was not mentioned anywhere in the post.
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My GL3 was $270 new and I know some may disagree with me, but I consider it a top end rod as far as performance goes. In reality, it can't be "top end" when there are higher end models in the same line. I guess my point is that you don't have to break the bank to get a bangin' rod. Do your homework, ask around, try a few out.....you'll find something you love!
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There is a lot of GOOD inexpensive made overseas rods.
The thing is, if he (the original poster) is looking for the UPGRADE rod to hang onto for many years and maybe even pass it down, I personally would look AMERICAN MADE.
Something about an assembly line of people working for rice or minimum wage, not even knowing what the heck they are making, as opposed to, craftsmen/women that have been doing it for years and know what they are making.
Like I said, I have a TFO Pro and I use it often, but definitely no comparison to the Zero or the JWF (also 5 wts)
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I use G.Loomis rods generally, but I recently bought a Scierra rod on sale at Cabelas. I bought a 9' 8 wt. just to use for bass at Pelican. It is a sweet rod for the money. Good backbone and good feel. It goes for 175 regularly and I got it for 80 bones. Good deal.
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